Housing Flashcards
What is on the checklist for housing evaluation?
Feed, water, light, air, rest, space, health
What kind of substrate must pigs have under EU law?
Manipulatable
What does metabolic rate mean?
Heat released per unit time
What is the definition of the BMR?
minimal metabolism of a fasted animal (energy required for maintenance)
Which kind of animals have a POTZ (preferred optimum temperature zone)?
Poikilotherms
Who is in group I of heat regulation?
Pigs and poultry
Which direction must group I (pigs and poultry) keep their body temperature?
Up
How do group I animals get their body temperature down? Why?
Wallow because they can’t sweat or pant
Why is housing for group I animals kept high?
To maximise feed conversion
Which group of animals are susceptible to heat stress?
Group I (pigs and poultry)
Which group of animals have a narrow TNZ?
Group I (pigs and poultry)
Who is in group II of heat regulation?
Ruminants and horses
Which direction must group II animals (ruminants and horses) keep their body temperature?
Down
How do group II animals keep their body temperature down?
Evaporation
Which out of horses, sheep and cattle can sweat or pant?
Horses sweat, sheep pant, cattle both
Which group of animals have a wide TNZ?
II - ruminants and horses
What is the metabolic cost of keeping temp down (in contrast to up)?
Negligible
What type of cooling does climatic housing facilitate?
Evaporative (and protects against extremes)
Which type of housing is banned for sows?
Gestation stalls
Problems caused by gestation stalls?
UTI and infertility, physical abnormalities, behavioural problems
Disadvantage of group housing for sows?
May lead to aggression
Why do some countries allow farrowing stalls after mating?
Embryo won’t implant if sows are fighting
What are the problems of a stressed sow when the piglet HPA is developing?
Increased stress reactivity, poor growth rates, poor maternal behaviour
What are the results of a sow being unable to interact with/teach piglets in a farrowing crate?
Increased plasma cortisol
What is the problem with outdoor arcs?
Can be too hot/cold
What are the problems with finishing pigs outdoors?
Slower and requires more food
What are four things space is needed for in growing pigs?
Thermoregulation, normal behaviours, avoiding discomfort, cleanliness
What factors affect minimum stocking density legislation?
Temperature, flooring, feeding system, group sizes
Which disease in pigs leads to more ear and tail biting?
Respiratory disease
Serum levels of which ILs correlates with abnormal behaviours in respiratory disease in pigs?
IL1-ra and IL-12
Which condition does access to straw bedding reduce the incidence of in pigs? Why?
Gastric ulcers - need fibre
How can you reduce aggression when introducing new pigs?
Put in a barrier
Why does maintaining litter groups reduce stress?
Reduces stress associated with resource access
How can you reduce post-weaning diarrhoea?
Creep feeding pre-weaning and strict hygiene
Why is pig castration not practiced in the UK?
We slaughter before puberty to avoid boar-taint
How else can you reduce boar-taint in a heavier carcase?
Immuno-castration
What are two advantages of immuno-castration?
Reduces aggression and skin lesions
Reasons piglet teeth are clipped?
Reduces mastitis, staph infections and damage to other piglets, face scars, pre-weaning deaths
Which part of the tail does tail docking leave behind?
The part with the best nerve supply
Why is it better to use methods other than docking to control tail biting?
Biting still occurs in docked pigs
Better ways of preventing tail biting?
Reduced crowding, more bedding, better disease control
How many times worse must the pain of tail biting be than docking for docking to be better?
7x
Why do ewes need good lighting?
Because they lamb at night
Why are solid panels ideal in mothering up pens?
Prevent lambs swapping pens, prevent disease spread
How much water do sheep require per day?
50ml/kg/day
What does the amount sheep drink depend on and when does it increase?
DM of food which increases in late pregnancy
How many breeding cycles should be enough for 95% of ewes?
Two
What happens if sheep breeding cycles are too long?
Lambs will be born unsupervised
How many other sheep do sheep like to have in sight?
At least two
Which kind of sheep are the most independent?
Mountain sheep
Five areas of the sheep face used to score pain?
Orbital, cheek, ears, lip and jaw profile, nostrils and philtrum
What happens to sheep ears in pain?
Drop, rotate backwards
What happens to sheep philtrum in pain?
Narrows
What happens to sheep nostril in pain?
Goes U to V shape
What is the earliest the lambing season can be brought forward to?
Jan
How many ewes per ram?
80-100
Under what conditions do you need more rams?
If using sponges for synchronised ovulation
How does body condition score affect lambing percentages?
Low BCS decreases lambing percentages
In which flocks is the BCS target lower?
Hill
How long does it take for sheep to gain one BCS score?
6 weeks
How long before mating is flushing done in ewes?
3-4 weeks
Which kind of feed is used for flushing ewes?
Reserved grazing or root crops
What should not be used for flushing due to interfering with ovulation?
Kale or rape
When is the earliest castration and tail docking should be done?
24 hours
Which two parameters rise is stressed sheep?
Cortisol and PCV
Maximum number of runs a sheepdog should do through a trial course?
One
When do lambs normally wean by?
12 weeks
How do you stop milk production in ewes?
Send ewes to poor pasture
What drives controlled ventilation in pig housing?
Fans
What drives natural ventilation in pig housing?
Stack effect
Why should pigs of different weights be housed separately?
TNZ is different for different weights and different ages will have differing immunity
What is the optimum number for a group of pigs?
15
Is hot or cold more stressful/immunosuppressive for pigs?
Cold
What is the problem with dust in pig housing?
Compromises respiratory defense mechanisms and can contain toxins
How can you control dust in pig housing?
Electrostatic particle ionisation
What is the problem with air inlets being stuck open in pig housing?
Can lead to draughts
When do respiratory outbreaks mostly occur in pigs and why?
Autumn because the temperatures are variable
What happens if pig sheds are too close together?
Sheltered sides are under negative pressure from the wind so air can’t flow in leading to poor air quality
What do you use to measure humidity?
Hygrometer
What do you use for gas collection?
Draeger tubes
Why should you take measurements at more than one time?
To account for diurnal variation
What is the problem with low humidity in pigs?
Reduces particle size so more can enter lungs - brings pathogens and damages mucociliary escalator
What is the problem with high humidity in pigs?
Increases pathogen survival in water droplets and damages building and insulation
What kind of chart can farmers use to predict heat stress in pigs?
A temperature-humidity index chart
How does too high NH3 affect pigs?
Causes respiratory signs by paralysing the mucociliary escalator predisposing them to infection
What can high H2S cause in pigs?
Death - lethal
How does low H2S (20ppm) affect pigs?
Low appetite
How do you produce a Respiratory Distress Index in pigs?
Use microphones to detect coughing
How much earlier than clinical assessment can a Respiratory Distress Index detect disease?
Two weeks
In the summer, how much higher than the outside temperature should the ventilation rate allow the inside to get in pigs?
3 degrees
In pigs, what should the winter ventilation rate keep the CO2 below?
0.3%
What are the units of ventilation rate?
m3/hour
Why is separating calves at birth less stressful?
No mother-offspring bond
What are five changes seen in the calf after it is separated from its mother at 6 months old?
More vocalisations, less feeding, less lying, more walking, more cortisol secretion
For how long after a six month old calf is removed from its mother do you see reduced feeding? Why?
2 weeks, because the dam usually guides
What is the weaning age for a calf in the wild?
8-9 months
What does two-step weaning involve in calves?
Preventing nursing for 4 days with an anti-sucking device before separating cow and calf
What are the four advantages of two-step weaning?
Less vocalising and walking, more eating, reduced stress indicators, mimics natural weaning process
Other than two-step weaning what is another way of reducing the stress of weaning calves?
A fence-line to allow physical contact with the dam
Why should you get calves off milk replacer as soon as possible?
Expensive
How can you stimulate the calf rumen to develop?
Feed concentrates
Legally, how many times a day must you bucket feed calves?
Twice
What is a problem with bucket-feeding calves?
Can be associated with re-directed sucking
What is fibre required for when weaning calves?
For the rumen size to develop
What are concentrates required for when weaning calves?
For the papillae to develop
What diet is given to veal calves?
Milk only
What are the problems with veal crates?
Can’t groom whole body, increased stress at weaning
Why is group housing an advantage in veal calves?
Better adaptability later in life
What are the problems with a large udder?
Alters stance so predisposes to solar ulcers, gets contaminated more easily so more mastitis
How does an altered stance cause solar ulcers in cattle?
Pedal bone pinches on chorium
What is a problem with “double muscling”?
Leads to dystocia so need multiple caesareans
Why is hypomagnesium more common than hypocalcaemia in cattle?
No body stores like calcium
What is the heritability of reproduction and health traits like?
Low, but additive effects are considerable
What do Total Merit Indexes do?
Incorporate reproductive and health traits into selection schemes
Why are mastitis pathogens more environmental than contagious?
Intensive housing - diagonal lying, soiled cubicles
What are two environmental mastitis pathogens?
Strep uberis and coliforms
What pathogen causes digital dermatitis in cattle?
Treponema
What behaviour is associated with digital dermatitis in cattle?
Standing in slurry
How to you prevent digital dermatitis in cattle?
Increase frequency of slurry scraping
What’s the problem with cattle standing half in and half out of a cubicle?
Abnormal foot loading - solar ulcers
What is the most common alternative to cubicles for cattle?
Straw yards
How does low quality straw affect cattle?
Damages interdigital skin
What is the commonest cause of lameness in cattle?
Infection between claws with Fusobacterium
Why do cows not like stony paths?
Get solar penetration and white line disease
What are good alternative to stony paths in cattle?
Wood chip, astroturf, soil-cement mix
In what countries are tethers still widespread in cattle?
Northern
What’s a problem with using tethers in cattle?
Stereotypies eg tongue rolling
What are three advantages of a cattle grooming brush?
Improves cow flow, improves welfare, improves yield
Since what year has branding cattle been banned?
1982
Which kind of cattle branding is still allowed?
Freeze branding
What are alternatives to branding cattle?
Microchipping, electronic ID, retinal scanning
Which kind of RFID is best for security?
Rumen bolus
What are the advantages of castrating bulls?
Grow better, are leaner, less agressive, prevents misalignment
What is a reason not to castrate a bull?
Because the disadvantages don’t happen anyway before 18 months
Why does disbudding need analgesia?
Cortisol remains high after anaesthetic wears off
Is it a legal requirement to use analgesia after disbudding?
Yes
What is one advantage of using local anaesthetic after disbudding?
Improved weight gain
Which countried still tail dock cattle?
Australia/New Zealand
Why do some countries still tail dock cattle?
Improve parlour cleanliness
What are two ways poor stockmanship affects cattle?
Increased fear and reduced milk yield
What are the problems with a large sliding door in cattle?
Lets the calves get wet, bad ventilation if closed, make it windy, stack effect won’t work as has to act as inlet and outlet
What is the problem with calves getting wet?
They will feel colder at a higher temperature
What are six problems caused by lack of outlets/inlets?
No air movement, stale air, unthrifty stock, condensation, stuffy and humid, damp bedding
What is the problem with interconnected air spaces?
Stale air can collect in the middle and may harbour pathogens
What is a sign of air hunger in cows?
Air hunger (they have low lung capacity)
What does a strong ammonia smell indicate?
Poor drainage
How large should inlets be compared to outlets?
Twice the area
Where should outlets be compared to the inlets?
1m above
What happens to the air if the stack effect is not sufficient?
Drops onto the animals
How does a draught affect the critial temperature?
Increases the lower critical temperature
What is the TNZ like in ruminants?
Wide
How do ruminants regulate heat loss?
Evaporation
Which are the only kind of cattle who need extra heating?
Young or sick calves
When can the LCT be higher in cattle?
At night and in sick calves
What happens if below the LCT in cattle?
Either eat ore or decrease performance
What four things should you do if humidity is too high in cattle housing?
More drainage, decrease stocking, avoid wet faeces, ventilate
What slope should cattle housing be for drainage?
1:20
What is the problem with too much space in housing?
Stack effect reduced so humidity not removed
How much area does each calf need?
6m3
How does doubling the space each calf has affect the contaminants?
Halves the contaminants
How high above the floor and stall must inlets be?
1.5m
What values must you compare to see if air flow is adequate?
Actual air flow and required rate
What are five reasons the inlet ai may not be balanced?
No exhausts, too low inlet area, inlets send air to shared spaces, too low heat production, too high moisture from too low ventilation
What makes the best air outlet?
Roof open ridges
What makes the best inlet?
Yorkshire boarding
What system must you use if ventilation is insufficient?
Positive pressure ventilation tube and fan
How many air changes per hour must a positive pressure system provide?
4
Where must the fan be in a a positive pressure system?
Outside the building
How large must the tube be in a a positive pressure system?
Larger than the fan
What can you do to help ventilation if wall are open?
Install green galebreakers
What is the advantage for dividing up housing for different ages?
No common air space
Why may some poultry stay inside their shed?
Sense of security may be questionable
What are four advantages of providing trees to poultry?
Increases range use, reduces feather damage, reduces mortality, increases egg shell quality
What happens if poultry perches are poorly designed?
Bumble foot (staph infection)
What year were battery cages banned?
2012
What are the advantages of enriched colony cages over battery cages?
More space and room for nesting, scratching and perching
Which kind of pigs are most infection-prone?
Weaners
What is an adv and dis of perforated floor in pigs?
Comfortable but barren so predisposes to behavioural disorders
What are four housing characteristics that are especially important for neonatal piglets?
Dryness, warmth, hygiene and security
Which pig type has the least need for give in housing?
Neonates because they are light
Which kind of pig is most prone to skin abrasions?
Neonates
What are four advantages of slatted floors for cattle?
Warm, dry, hygienic, feet good
What is one problem with slatted floors in cattle?
Can get abrasions/bursitis
What are two advantages of straw bedding for cattle?
Reduces lameness and traumatic laminitis
What are two advantages of rubber mats for cattle?
Reduce lameness and percussive trauma
How many hours per day do cows spend lying/ruminating?
12
What is one condition caused by inadequate cushioning in cattle?
Tarsal bursitis
What is the cow comfort quotient?
Cows lying correctly / total cows
What is the ideal CCQ?
80-90%
When should you measure the CCQ?
1-2 hours post milking/feeding
What does the cubicle standing index show?
Whether cows are standing half-in half-out of not
When should you measure the cubicle standing index?
2 hours before milking
What should the cubicle standing index be?
Less than 20%
What is “perching” in cattle?
Standing half in half out
What is the problem with cattle perching?
Puts abnormal loading on flexor tendons and high feet causing solar ulcers and lameness
What is one problem with cattle not using cubicles?
Lie in slurry and get environmental mastitis
How much larger are modern Holsteins than they used to be?
6” taller and 1’ longer
In which direction will cows choose to lie? Why?
Facing uphill - helps breathing and rumination
How much of a cows body weight is supported on a cows knees and hock when she is lying?
80%
What is wrong with the average UK cow cubicle?
Too short
What are the two problems with too short a cubicle?
Either bend head preventing rumination or sit with hidquarters over the curb
What position do cows often sit in if the cubicle is too short?
Dog sitting
What is the problem with a solid lower rail in cattle housing?
Pressure on the hip bone
If the length is too short, where will the cow lunge her head instead? What is the problem with this?
Between the top and bottom side ride - trapped if these are too low
Why are narrow cubicles uncomfortable?
Cows get wider when they lie down
What can be used as a bottom rail instead in cattle?
A rope
What are head rails for in cattle housing?
Position cows correctly when standing
What are brisket boards for?
Positioning cow correctly when lying
What are the 4 rules for where a brisket board should be?
Max 10cm high, 1/4 away from front wall, rounded edge, must allow cow to put front foot forward
What are the two rules for where a head rail should be?
15-25cm below withers, 1/5 away from front wall
What do regression equations calculate?
Stall and neck rail dimensions with 500kg and 750kg targets
Where should cubicle dividers be placed?
On vertical posts, not in front of the stall
In what direction must the neck rail be placed to avoid cows rubbing it?
High and forward
What’s the problem with moving the neck rail backwards?
Can’t stand in the stall at all
What % of cows weight is on their knees and hock when standing?
80%
What conditions are caused if cow surface is not soft enough?
Swollen joints and solar ulcers
What’s the problem with using sand as a cow bedding?
Blocks the slurry system
How can you test if a cow housing is soft enough?
Knee drop or knuckle test
Which joints of soft bedding especially important for?
Knees (front)
What should the kerb height be?
12-15cm
What happens if the kerb height is too high?
Hard to exit so won’t enter
What does alternate occupancy show is wrong in cow housing?
Too short cubicles and inadequate lunging space
How much room must there be in a straw yard?
Enough for two cows to pass each other
What are two disadvantages of using straw for cattle?
Higher cost, more mastitis
What are two disadvantages of using straw for cattle?
More comfortable, higher yield, less lameness
How long after milking should you return the cows to the shed so that the teats have time to close?
30 minutes
